Mali vs Ivory Coast 1-2 (AET): CAF AFCON 2023 quarterfinal – as it happened

What an unbelievable game we just witnessed!

Mali looked in control after Ivory Coast went down a man in the first half.

Despite the disadvantage, The Elephants did well to hold on as long as they could, before Dorgeles’s stunner in the 71st minute ensured the visitors had a precious lead.

As the match crept closer towards the end of regulation time, it looked like Mali had ousted the hosts before a moment of brilliance from substitute Adringa kept their hopes alive.

From there on, Ivory Coast had a reason to fight, and they continued to probe for chances before a last-ditch effort at the very tail-end of extra-time produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds you will ever see.

This AFCON Cup has been something to behold, and today’s match is another glowing tribute.

Ivory Coast will next face DRC on February 7 in the semifinal, while Nigeria await the winner of Cape Verde and South Africa, which we are covering here.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this memorable match, and on behalf of Al Jazeera Sport, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Can also add they went down a man in the first half of this match!

The referee decides to play on for a few minutes, but as soon as the whistle goes off, the Malian players come hurtling at him and the assistants.

The Ivory Coast players rush to help as it has unfortunately devolved into an aggressive series of events out on the pitch.

A red card is issued to Traore for his venomous tirade at the referee.

The Malian coach looks absolutely shell-shocked as he sits on his haunches in utter disbelief.

Full-time: Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast

Just like the equaliser before, Ivory Coast manage to score a goal of the very last kick of extra time to extend their AFCON campaign!

The goal comes off a late free kick which is won on the right side.

The cross is sent in, and after the ball bandies about in the box, it finds Fofana who decides to have a strike from distance.

The ball is able to continue through into the box, with Diakite getting a crucial deflection to wrong-foot Diarra at the last moment as the ball rolls into the net.

From being a nervous bunch, Bouake Stadium is suddenly thrust into bedlam.

120 mins+2: Mali 1-2 Ivory Coast

It is getting feisty out there again as both teams seem content with this match being decided on penalties.

118 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

He snakes in from the left side and once again, aims for the top-right corner of goal, but this time he doesn’t quite find the mark.

114 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

For getting a high boot on his opposing number, he duly goes into the referee’s naughty list.

112 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

The opportunity is on the left side, with a low ball sent swerving into the box.

The first attempt fails to produce anything, but Mali recover and send another pass into the box.

This time, the ball ends up catching Boly on the boot, but misses the open far post by just inches as it rolls out for a right-side corner.

It could have just as easily rolled in, so Ivory Coast will consider themselves mighty lucky.

110 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast kick off this important passage of play.

106 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

Fifteen minutes down, and 15 minutes left to go.

Ivory Coast looked the more assured team in that first half of extra-time.

Mali, on the other hand, appear slightly lost since the late equaliser.

They have failed to fully capitalise on the man advantage, and may come to rue it if the match goes to penalties.

HT ET: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

The strike is from about 35 metres (38 yards) out, just left of centre.

The ball swerves a touch mid-air, but Fofana is able to get comfortably behind it.

105 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

It is the end of Samassekou’s night as his replacement, Ibrahim Sissoko, rushes out on the field.

102 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

Mali win the corner on the right side.

A swerving cross is sent in, and Kouyate does well to get on the end of it, but ends up spooning it over the crossbar.

100 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

The Borussia Dortmund forward rises high to a cross into the box from the right side.

He does well to get a head on it, but ends up hitting it straight at the crossbar.

Mali are very fortunate to get away with that.

96 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

The Elephants have their tails up, while Mali look to have ratcheted down their intensity.

The home fans are vociferously cheering on their side to an improbable win given their predicament.

95 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

Mali will kick things off as we look to break the deadlock.

91 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

With just a minute to go, Doumbia is substituted for Yves Bissouma.

Soon after the referee blows the whistle as we now officially head into extra-time.

Ivory Coast will be the happier team going into this break given the manner in which they came back.

Mali will need to regroup now as we face another 30 minutes of play before the dreaded penalties.

End of normal time: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

It may very well be more given that dramatic equalising goal by Adringa.

90+4 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast come out of nowhere to equalise, with the home fans going absolutely berserk!

The play begins on the right side, with the ball passed towards a waiting Fofana. He tries his luck from outside the box, but ends up hitting the back of a Malian defender.

The ball falls in front of Adringa, who had just come on a few minutes ago.

He is able to find the space to send a powerful strike towards the top-left of goal.

Bouake Stadium has absolutely gone off as a result.

The Malian players look devastated after being just minutes away from ensuring their progression.

90+1 mins: Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast